The Dawn of the New World Chapter 1596

But seeing that rock pile Hao Xuan was compelled to ask a follow-up question.

"Are you sure that's even possible? I thought 'Esoteric Arts' could only be accomplished by those with the genetic gift."

"Genetic? What is the meaning of genetic?"

"It means it's in the blood, hereditary you know. I was under the impression that only those that have the gift passed down to them from their parents could use them."

"Ah! Yes, that is true. There is a very good chance that the children of such 'gifted' beings could also have it, sometimes many times stronger even. But that does not mean others cannot awaken their own gifts. Anyone that can perceive the Umbral planes can use these arts."

Hao Xuan's hopes were reignited in full force but that was one thing he could very easily do at the moment.

"Really, in that case please guide me brother," Hao Xuan gave him a light bow as a sign of respect, which Vlitgar graciously accepted.

He patted him on the back, "You need only ask, brother Jin. Your strength is our strength, we all must work together for a better future."

"Indeed."

Vlitgar opened the palm of his hand and three rocks flew over from the pile. He hadn't exerted any energy and created no perceivable disturbance in the surroundings and yet three small rocks the size of walnuts floated in front of them.

"The idea is terribly simple, brother," Vlitgar began his explanation by placing two of the rocks down.

"Every physical plane has an equivalent realm within the Umbral planes, yes? They are- as you say- two sides of the same coin. For there to be one, there must be the other behind the veil."

He moved the third rock a little further away from the first two and placed it down.

"It is so because every physical object has a presence on the other side, an 'impression' left in the thin fabric of reality. What you are going to do is manipulate this impression- this 'shadow' of the object instead of the object itself. Once you move the shadow- the object will follow."

Hao Xuan nodded along because that actually made complete sense and it was quite easy to understand, which he wasn't expecting considering their last conversation about the Ethymas.

But then came the next question.

"How do I move the shadow of an object without entering the Umbral planes?"

Vlitgar threw his head back cackling at the very thought of it.

"Hahahahaha! Entering the umbral plane?? Brother that is-" but when he looked at Hao Xuan's face he realized that wasn't a joke.

"...."

"You are serious?"

Hao Xuan nodded as a matter of factly.

"Have you...entered the umbral planes before?"

Another nod came, "Yes, but I have not ventured too far. I do not have an Astral Body yet so I only move around with my soul."

Vlitgar's throat went dry as he tried to wrap his mind around what he was hearing.

"And this- your soul, it has- I mean you have not been affected by it?"

Hao Xuan shrugged, "Not to my knowledge. What kind of effect do you mean?"

Vlitgar swallowed a mouthful of saliva to wet his gullet, "No that- it matters not. How you want to- yes...you have learned to manipulate soul power yes?"

Hao Xuan thought about it for a second before answering, "If you mean spiritual threads then yes. They are created from the soul."

"Yes yes, those! Now stand here," he pulled Hao Xuan in front of the rocks, "Send your spiritual threads behind the veil. Sense the umbral plane with their help and find the impression of these rocks. Then wrap the threads around the shadow and tighten your grip around it."

"Okay, I think I can do that."

He had never stood in the material realm and tried to sense the immaterial before but it didn't seem that difficult.

Hao Xuan closed his eyes and spread out the golden threads of spiritual sense. At first he tried to touch the rocks directly but only managed to flick one out of the three and it wasn't even strong enough for it to roll over.

The threads were passing through them which made sense. They were created from his soul so they did not have a physical presence to speak of.

Vlitgar was watching all this unfold with bated breath and he could tell what was going on but it was hard to believe.

Then Hao Xuan focused on sensing the veil that was all around them before slowly sending the threads through to the other side.

The threads were extensions of his self so he could feel the slightly cold and wet sensation of passing through the veil and entering the Umbral Plane.

But unlike the times he had actually gone over with his soul, Hao Xuan could not actually "see" anything.

He could only get a vague picture of the immediate surroundings of the threads. Just as Vlitgar had said the threads were able to sense the impression or "shadows" of the rocks not too far away.

"Found them," he whispered.

Vlitgar wasn't even blinking so as not to risk missing the moment.

"Hold the shadows with the Spiritual Threads and tighten your grip around them, as hard as you can," he spoke into Hao Xuan's ear.

*POP*POP*POP

Without so much as a warning all three rocks turned into a cloud of dust.